Photoplayer Hater

Any difficult endeavor will require certain qualities. While pursuing an acting career you not only need to keep up your chops, but will also need other more simple things. When doing something hard you will inevitably face opposition and meet defeat at times. To help you weather the storms that will come it helps to give yourself a good base from which to work.

Instead of just being friends with whoever shows up, you need to be a little more particular. The people who are around you will affect you. Be picky about who they are. They needn't be other entertainment business types but they should have some qualities that are conducive to your goals as an actor.

Supportive

The last thing you need is another naysayer. Acting is a difficult thing to pursue, but we don't need to be constantly reminded. It might take a long time or it may never happen, but we don't need friends to give us a shortcut to failure. You want friends that are realistic supporters of your desires. It would help if they were always on the lookout for opportunities for you or maybe forwarding you interesting articles that might inspire you. You need them to be on your side and not one of "them".

Someone To Learn From

Hopefully you can get something out of any relationship, otherwise what's the point. It doesn't mean this person teaches you about acting per se, it could be anything they are good at that you want to know about. There are a lot of things outside of acting that are not only useful to know but could help your career. Hold onto people with expertise you would like to glean something from.

Someone To Emulate

You may have a friend you think has it together. Being around this person seems to bring out the best in you. You might wish you were more like this person. This is the type of person that can subtly help you become the person you want to be. If they are the embodiment of many qualities you like and are supportive of your acting goals than they're a good friend to have.

Someone You Admire

You may not want to be like someone but all the same appreciate who they are. You may not agree with their views but like that fact that they have them. This can be a person that has higher aspirations than you and can act as a pace car. Or this could be the family type that stays home, raises kids and thus helps keep you grounded. Whatever it is that you like about them, it can at least help expand your horizons and open your mind.

Someone Complementary

There are always going to be some things you are not good at. Things you struggle your whole life to get better at but still don't do as effortlessly as others. A friend that does something well that you don't is a great friend to have. If you are horrible talking to people over the phone but your friends love to call people up, ask their help in getting better at it or they might even do you the favor of calling for you. Friends who compensate for your weaknesses are great people to have around.

Also Complimentary

It's nice to hear praise. You may not get it much in acting but it can help boost morale and even your health. Someone who sees when you are doing something well and points it out to you can help you keep a balanced state of mind. You may be so used to the way you do things that you don't give yourself enough credit and a friend with a fresh perspective and hearty approbation might help you out.

You are not only judged by the company you keep but also affected by them. You don't need to make potential friends fill out applications but you should keep a healthy eye on what you get out of a relationship. It's not your job to be friends with everyone in the world, solve their problems, or even entertain them for free. Your first duty is to yourself. So keep those that help you and cut those that hurt you.